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Pain - How can you tell if your cat is in pain?

In the wild, cats that appear sick or injured are vulnerable to predators. For this reason, cats often disguise the fact they are in pain. Cat pain can be caused by a variety of problems such as arthritis, abscesses, dental disease, urinary tract infections, bone disease, cancer and can occur after a surgical procedure.

As a cat owner, you are in the best position to look for the subtle changes in behaviour that may indicate your cat is suffering. The sooner your cat's pain is diagnosed and treated, the sooner he or she can heal and resume a normal, happy life.

Here are just some of the behaviours your cat may exhibit if they are in pain. If you suspect your cat is sore please notify your veterinarian immediately.

Vocalising

Meowing

Purring

Hissing

Growling

Daily habits

Withdraws from social interaction

Decreased appetite

Changes in sleeping or drinking

Fails to use the litter box

Urinates frequently

Won't groom or grooms less, looks unkempt

Sleeps more

Self Mutilation

Licking

Biting

Scratching a particular part of its body

Activity Level

Restless

Reluctant to move

Has difficulty getting up from a laying position

Repetitively gets up and lies down

Trembles or shakes

Limps

Can't leap as high

Seeks more affection

Avoids being petted or handled

Hides

Posture

Generally lays with feet underneath

Arches back or tucks in abdomen

Facial Expression

Grimaces, furrowed brow, vacant stare

Glazed, wide-eyed or looks sleepy

Enlarged pupils

Flattened ears

Pants when at rest

Self Protection

Protects a part of its body

Doesn't put weight on a limb

Doesn't want to be held or picked up

Aggression

Acts out of character

Growls, hisses, bites

Pins ears back

Especially a normally friendly cat

Treating pain

Please do not try and treat pain yourself. Many forms of human pain relief are poisonous to cats - in particular ibuprofen (eg. Nurofen). Pain occurs for many different reasons and this means there are lots of different signs to indicate a cat may be in pain and numerous forms of treatment depending on the diagnosis. Your veterinarian is in the best position to recommend a diagnostic plan and treatment so your pet can remain as comfortable as possible.